Car safety Ratings

Car Assessment Programme, where vehicles undergo front and side crash tests. By studying the safety test results, customers can sift the wheat from the marketing chaff. “Certain brands may have a reputation for safety, but their crash test records may not be so good. Other brands may have better safety standards, but their marketing and branding is not so strong!” says Azmi, who has six years of sales experience.

“Most people don’t like the way our MPV looks, but it has a 10-star European safety rating. If we were to rebadge it with a popular brand name, I think sales would fly,” Azmi adds. Yip says that 80% of Klang Valley customers will pay the RM3,000 or so required to put in air bags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution). However, another national car salesman, who only wants to be known as Lee, thinks that Malaysians are not really very concerned about safety. “Normally, customers ask about the instalment but not safety features,” he says.

“Yes, they say they want ABS, EBD and air bags, but their car tyres are almost botak (bald). So it could be a case of what other people have, I also want.“It’s also pointless having all the safety features when they drive too fast, cutting in here and there, and pulling on the seat belts only when they see a policeman. Lee, who has been a salesman for 10 years, adds that buyers should check safety standards of the particular model they are buying and not just rely on the brand’s reputation. Some cheaper models may be built following only South-East Asian safety standards and not European safety ratings, unlike the higher end models,